A concerning trend of increasing cocaine use and addiction among middle-class, middle-aged women is being observed by addiction treatment centers in the UK. While men still account for a larger proportion of cocaine admissions, figures indicate a significant rise in women aged 36 to 49 seeking help, with a 10% increase in such cases reported last year compared to three years prior, according to data from the UK Addiction Treatment Group (UKAT).

Experts suggest that this surge is linked to women experiencing a loss of purpose or role in life during midlife, compounded by changes like perimenopause, which can lead to a diminished sense of identity and control. Cocaine is sometimes used to fill this void, particularly by those feeling exhausted or overwhelmed, as it can provide a temporary boost in energy and perceived control. The drug's appetite-suppressing qualities can also contribute to its appeal for weight management, a common concern in midlife.

Nikki Bradfield, 51, shared her personal journey, illustrating how occasional cocaine use began as a coping mechanism after her divorce. As a divorced mother of three, working as a teaching assistant and pursuing a degree, she found cocaine offered a sense of confidence and control that she felt alcohol did not provide. She described a "compartmentalized" life, maintaining her role as a devoted mother on weekdays while using cocaine to let off steam during her "fun" periods.

"There's this middle-class culture where it's okay to have a couple of glasses of wine, but with cocaine I felt so much more in control as I wouldn’t feel drunk or get the hangover," Bradfield stated. "As a single mother to three boys, working as a teaching assistant and doing a degree in childhood studies, life was busy and chaotic so cocaine genuinely felt like a better option."

What started as occasional use escalated into a daily habit, leading Bradfield to spend over £200 weekly and purchase a gram of cocaine each day. Her addiction impacted her work and home life, eventually leading to homelessness and crack cocaine use. "At its worst, she found herself homeless – living in a tent, shoplifting food to eat, and hooked on crack cocaine," the report states. At one point, she was spending more than £200 a week and buying a gram of cocaine every day.

After a period of intense struggle, including a toxic relationship during lockdown that saw her first try crack cocaine, Bradfield entered residential rehabilitation. She has now been clean for over a year. "It was in rehab that I found myself again," Bradfield said. "I found genuine human connection with other addicts, and we laughed until the tears would run down our faces."

Bradfield has since participated in post-rehab programs focused on relapse prevention and is actively involved in supporting others, volunteering with addiction charities and serving as a sponsor for Narcotics Anonymous. She emphasized the importance of routine and structure in maintaining her recovery and rebuilding relationships with her children and family. Nikki also attended a post-rehab programme at the Forward Trust, which included workshops on relapse prevention.

Nikki has turned her life around today after a stint in a residential rehab centre, and has been clean for more than a year, is nothing short of astonishing. "Having routine gives you structure," she says. "I love life again – I swim in the sea and go to sober raves, and I’m repairing my relationships with my children and, of course, my mum and dad and sisters."

Confidential help and support for cocaine addiction is available. For more information, visit www.ukat.co.uk/addiction/drug/cocaine/.